Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What types of radiation cause damage to bacteria?

Do all forms of radiation cause damage to bacteria, or is it only certain forms of radiation such as UV rays.What types of radiation cause damage to bacteria?
Ultraviolet light kills bacteria by damaging the DNA. UV radiation disrupts the chemical bonds that hold the atoms of DNA together in the microorganism. If the damage is severe enough, the bacteria cannot repair the damage and will die. Longer exposure to UV light is necessary to ensure complete kill-off of all bacteria. Unlike chemical treatments, UV-treated air or water does not resist re-contamination.

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